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  • PLI Scheme for White Goods

    Why in the News?

    The Centre has announced reopening of the application window for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods, following the strong response and success of earlier rounds.

    Note: White goods refer to large household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, so named because they were traditionally white.

    About the PLI Scheme for White Goods:

    • Objective: To create a complete component ecosystem for ACs and LED lights, integrating India into global supply chains and boosting domestic manufacturing.
    • Approval: Cleared by the Union Cabinet in April 2021; implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
    • Duration: Implemented over seven years (FY 2021–22 to FY 2028–29) with a total outlay of ₹6,238 crore.
    • Incentives: Provides 4–6% incentive on incremental turnover (over base year 2019–20) for both domestic sales and exports, applicable for five years to eligible companies.
    • Eligibility:
      • Applicant must be a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
      • Eligibility depends on achieving threshold levels of incremental sales and investments.
      • Entities availing benefits under any other PLI scheme for the same products are not eligible.
    • Beneficiaries So Far: 83 companies with committed investment of ₹10,406 crore have been approved under the scheme, covering AC and LED components across the entire value chain.
    • Employment and Exports: Expected to create jobs, expand exports, and enhance self-reliance in components that were earlier imported.
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    Statement I: India accounts for 3.2% of global exports of goods.
    Statement II: Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India’s ‘Production-linked Incentive’ scheme.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
    (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
    (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
    (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct *

     

  • In news: Cauvery River Dispute

    Why in the News?

    On the Cauvery dispute, Karnataka CM has said that water will be released to Tamil Nadu since the rainfall is adequate, while stressing the Mekedatu Dam’s role in water balance and clean energy.

     

    Back2Basics: Cauvery River

    • Origin & Course: Rises at Talakaveri, Brahmagiri range (Kodagu, Karnataka); flows ~800 km through Karnataka & Tamil Nadu into the Bay of Bengal.
    • Catchment: Spreads across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry.
    • Tributaries: Harangi, Hemavati, Kabini, Suvarnavathi, Bhavani.
    • Nature: Perennial river, sustained by both advancing & retreating monsoons.
    • Protected Areas: Cauvery WLS, Biligirirangan Hills, Pushpagiri, Muthathi, Ranganathittu, Bhimeshwari, Nagarhole, Bandipur.

    About Cauvery Water Sharing Dispute:

    • Colonial Origins: Began in 1892 (Madras Presidency vs Mysore); 1924 Agreement (50 years, expired 1974).
    • Post-Independence: Disputes arose with dam projects by Karnataka (1960s–80s); Supreme Court referred to Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT).
    • Interim Phase: Cauvery River Authority (CRA, 1998) issued temporary orders.
    • CWDT Final Award (2013): Tamil Nadu 419 TMC, Karnataka 270, Kerala 30, Puducherry 7.
    • Karnataka’s Obligation: In normal years, release 177.25 TMC to TN, including 123.14 TMC in SW monsoon.
    • Challenges: Disputes sharpen in weak monsoons, triggering use of a “distress formula”.
    • Legal Basis: Governed by Article 262, Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956; Seventh Schedule entries 17 (State List) & 56 (Union List).

    cauvery

    About Mekedatu Dam Project:

    • Location: Deep gorge at Cauvery–Arkavathi confluence near Kanakapura, Karnataka.
    • Design: Balancing reservoir of ~66 TMC capacity.
    • Objectives: Provide Bengaluru drinking water, generate 400 MW hydropower, regulate flows to TN in drought years.
    • Importance: Karnataka argues it benefits both states by ensuring regulated water release.
    • Opposition: Tamil Nadu objects, fearing reduced downstream availability.
    • Current Status: Karnataka insists on moving ahead, requiring Centre & TN’s clearance.
    [UPSC 2022] Gandikota canyon of South India was created by which one of the following rivers?

    Options: (a) Cauvery (b) Manjira (c) Pennar* (d) Tungabhadra

     

  • Places in news: Erra Matti Dibbalu

    Why in the News?

    This newscard is an excerpt from a photo published in ‘The Hindu’.

    About Erra Matti Dibbalu:

    • Location: Found between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, stretching 5 km along the coast, with widths ranging from 200 m to 2 km.
    • Meaning: In Telugu, “Erra Matti” means red soil and “Dibbalu” means mounds, describing the reddish sand dunes.
    • Geological Heritage: Listed among the 34 National Geological Heritage Monument Sites of India by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
    • Formation: Created around 12,000–18,500 years ago through the combined effect of tectonic activity (2.5 million–11,000 years ago), sea-level changes, monsoonal variability, and global climatic shifts.
    • Composition: Derived mainly from Khondalite rocks of the Eastern Ghats hinterland, with the red colour due to oxidation of iron-rich sediments.

    Significance:

    • Geological Value: Acts as a paleo-environment indicator, providing evidence of climate change, sea-level fluctuations, and coastal evolution during the late Quaternary period.
    • Archaeological Importance: Artefacts from Mesolithic and Neolithic periods and sediment layers dating back to the Late Pleistocene epoch have been found here.
    • Conservation Status: Declared a National Geo-heritage Monument (2016) and included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites (2025) for global recognition and protection.
    • Unique Landscape: Features badland topography with sand dunes, buried channels, gullies, and dendritic drainage patterns.
    • Rare Formation: Only two other similar red sand dune systems exist globally—the Teri dunes in Tamil Nadu and one site in Sri Lanka.
    [UPSC 2014] When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following:

    1. Deep gorges 2. U-turn river courses 3. Parallel mountain ranges 4. Steep gradients causing land sliding

    Which of the above can be said to be the evidence for Himalayas being young fold mountains?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 4 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4*

     

  • Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea

    Why in the News?

    China’s State Council has approved the creation of a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Dao in Chinese, Bajo de Masinloc/Panatag Shoal in the Philippines).

    About Scarborough Shoal:

    • Geography: A triangle-shaped chain of reefs and rocks in the South China Sea, about 200 km from Luzon (Philippines) and 800+ km from Hainan (China).
    • Status: Uninhabited but strategic, located near shipping lanes carrying $3 trillion in trade annually.
    • Significance: The lagoon shelters boats, and surrounding waters hold rich fish stocks vital for Zambales and Pangasinan communities.

    Disputes about it:

    • Sovereignty Claims: Both China and the Philippines claim ownership.
    • 2016 Arbitration Ruling: Permanent Court of Arbitration (The Hague) held China’s nine-dash line claim invalid, declaring Scarborough a traditional fishing ground under UNCLOS; China rejected the verdict.
    • Philippines’ Grounds: Lies within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), making China’s reserve “illegitimate and unlawful.”
    • International Response: The US, Japan, Australia, and Canada conduct naval patrols/drills supporting the Philippines and freedom of navigation.
    [UPSC 2022] Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news ?

    Options: (a) It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.

    (b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.*

    (c) A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.

    (d) Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.

     

  • PM inaugurated India’s first Bamboo-based Ethanol Plant

    Why in the News?

    PM has inaugurated the world’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant in Golaghat district, Assam, marking a significant step in India’s green energy journey.

    Note: Ethanol is prepared from bamboo using a multi-step biochemical conversion process that transforms its rich cellulose content into fermentable sugars, which are then fermented and distilled into ethanol.

    About Assam Bioethanol Plant:

    • Overview: World’s first 2G bamboo-based bioethanol facility, developed jointly by Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), Fortum (Finland), and Chempolis OY.
    • Feedstock: Uses 5 lakh tonnes of green bamboo annually, sourced from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and other NE states.
    • Production Capacity: Generates 48,900 MT ethanol, 11,000 MT acetic acid, 19,000 MT furfural, and 31,000 MT food-grade CO₂ per year.
    • Benefits: Adds ~₹200 crore annually to Assam’s rural economy; supports farmers and tribal communities with assured markets.
    • Policy Enabler: Reclassification of bamboo (no longer a tree) allowed free cultivation and harvesting, unlocking industrial potential.

    Back2Basics: Regulation of Bamboo in India

    • Earlier Status: The Indian Forest Act, 1927 classified bamboo as a “tree”, though botanically it is a grass.
    • Regulatory Impact: Even in non-forest areas, felling, cutting, and transport of bamboo required permits like timber, discouraging farmers and traders.
    • 2017 Amendment: The Act was amended to remove “bamboos” from the definition of “tree” under Section 2(7), but only for non-forest areas.
    • Policy Goal: Intended to ease regulatory burdens, promote bamboo cultivation and trade, and strengthen agroforestry.
    • Current Rule: Bamboo on private/agricultural land can now be freely grown, cut, and transported without permits; bamboo in forest areas remains regulated.
    • Scientific Alignment: Recognises bamboo correctly as a grass (Poaceae family).
    • Significance: Supports rural farmers, artisans, and tribal communities by making bamboo a viable cash crop.

     

    [UPSC 2023] According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?

    1. Cassava 2. Damaged wheat grains 3. Groundnut seeds 4. Horse gram 5. Rotten potatoes 6. Sugar beet

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only * (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

     

  • Ho Tribes’ Manki-Munda System

    Why in the News?

    Members of the Ho tribe in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district staged a protest for alleged interference in their traditional Manki-Munda governance system by removing village heads (Mundas).

    About Ho Tribes:

    • Location: Major community of Jharkhand (Kolhan, West Singhbhum), with presence in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
    • Language: Speak Ho language (Munda branch, Austroasiatic family), traditionally written in Warang Citi script.
    • Livelihoods: Primarily agriculturalists, with farming, hunting, and forest produce as traditional occupations.
    • Festivals: Mage Parab, Ba Parab, Sohrai, tied to agriculture, celebrated with dance, music, rituals.
    • Resistance: Historically fought outsiders; staged Ho Revolt (1821–22) and Kol Revolt (1831) against British.
    • Social Fabric: Clan-based, community-oriented, guided by customary law and collective decision-making.

    What is the Manki-Munda System?

    • Structure:
      • Munda: Village head (hereditary), resolves disputes, represents village.
      • Manki: Head of pidh (cluster of 8–15 villages), adjudicates inter-village disputes.
    • Pre-British: Purely internal self-rule, no taxation or external sovereign authority.
    • British Codification:
      • Wilkinson’s Rules (1833–37) codified system into 31 rules, formally recognising Mankis/Mundas as British agents.
      • Introduced private property; Ho became raiyats (tenants) instead of communal landholders.
      • Led to demographic influx of dikkus (outsiders), rising from ~1,500 (1867) to ~15,700 (1897).
    • Post-Independence: Kolhan Government Estate dissolved (1947) but Wilkinson’s Rules still operative; Kolhan largely exempt from civil laws.
    • Judicial View: In Mora Ho vs State of Bihar (2000), Patna HC treated Wilkinson’s Rules as customs, not law, but upheld their continuance.
    • Current Practice: System governs village disputes; ~200 vacant posts filled by Gram Sabhas.
    • Criticism: Hereditary leadership limits efficiency; many leaders lack education for modern administration.
    • Reform Debate: Youth demand limiting hereditary succession and inclusion of non-tribal raiyats.
    • Contemporary Role: Remains a symbol of tribal autonomy yet requires modernisation for democratic governance.
    [UPSC 2010] Which one of the following pairs of primitive tribes and places of their inhabitation is not correctly matched?

    (a) Buksa : Pauri-Garhwal

    (b) Kol : Jabalpur

    (c) Munda : Chhotanagpur

    (d) Korba : Kodagu*

     

  • Bengaluru gets its 2nd Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)

    Why in the News?

    The Karnataka government declared 8.6 acres of green cover at Cantonment Railway Colony in Bengaluru as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), the second such site in the city after Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK).

    About Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS):

    • Legal Basis: Recognized under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 as ecologically sensitive areas of high biodiversity.
    • Notifying Authority: The State Government, in consultation with local bodies, can declare an area as a BHS.
    • Objective: Conserves wild and domesticated species, including rare, threatened, and keystone species, vital for ecological balance.
    • Significance: Marked as ecologically fragile zones, essential for sustaining local ecosystems and long-term sustainability.
    • Community Role: Local communities and institutions are actively involved in management and protection.
    • Restrictions Put: Declaration does NOT restrict customary uses; aims to enhance quality of life through conservation.
    • Institutional Support: State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) assist in proposing, managing, and monitoring BHS.
    • First BHS in India: Nallur Tamarind Grove, Bengaluru, Karnataka, notified in 2007.
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.

    2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2* (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

  • National Lok Adalat  

    Why in the News?

    On September 13, a countrywide National Lok Adalat was held with a special focus on clearing pending traffic e-challans for minor offences.

    What is National Lok Adalat?

    • Overview: Lok Adalats held 4 times a year, on a single day, across all courts from the Supreme Court to Taluk Courts.
    • Scope: Settles both pending cases and pre-litigation disputes suitable for compromise.
    • Organisation: Dates fixed in the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) calendar; sessions conducted nationwide.
    • Method: Focuses on amicable settlement rather than judicial imposition.
    • Common Cases: Matrimonial/family disputes, compoundable criminal cases, land acquisition, labour disputes, compensation claims, bank recoveries, and accident claims.
    • Exclusions: Non-compoundable or sensitive offences are outside its scope.

    About Lok Adalats:

    • Legal Status: Statutory body under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987; amended in 2002 for Permanent Lok Adalats (public utility services).
    • Composition: Includes a judicial officer (Chairman), a lawyer, and a social worker.
    • History: First Lok Adalat held in Gujarat, 1982, as a voluntary conciliatory forum.
    • Award/Decision: Final, binding, and equivalent to a civil court decree; no appeal permitted.
    • Jurisdiction: Can settle pending cases, matters within court jurisdiction (even pre-litigation), on mutual consent, referral, or court satisfaction.
    • Organisation: Conducted by NALSA and State/District/High Court/Taluk Legal Services Authorities. NALSA operational since 9 November 1995.
    • Powers: Enjoy powers of a civil court; proceedings treated as judicial proceedings.
    • Benefits: No court fee, speedy disposal, procedural flexibility, direct party–judge interaction, and finality of settlement.
    [UPSC 2009] With reference to Lok Adalats, consider the following statements:

    1. An award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a degree of a civil court and no appeal lies against thereto before any court.

    2. Matrimonial/Family disputes are not covered under Lok Adalat.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only * (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

  • In news: Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

    Why in the News?

    The Union Environment Ministry has approved the capture and translocation of eight tigers from Tadoba-Andhari and Pench reserves to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in western Maharashtra.

    In news: Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

    About Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR):

    • Overview: Situated in the Sahyadri Range, Western Ghats (Maharashtra), spanning districts of Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri.
    • Status: Declared Tiger Reserve (2010); part of UNESCO Western Ghats World Heritage Site (2012).
    • Geography: Dominated by Shivsagar (Koyna) and Vasant Sagar (Warana) reservoirs.
    • Vegetation: Moist evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist & dry deciduous forests; endemic trees like karvi, bamboo, Terminalia, Emblica.
    • Fauna: Bengal tiger, leopard, dhole, gaur, antelopes, mouse deer, giant squirrel. Birds include hornbills, vultures, river tern.
    • Tiger Status: Tigers absent for years; 5–9 present since 2018 (as per camera trap evidence).
    • Corridor Linkages: Connected to Radhanagari WLS (north) and Anshi–Dandeli TR (south, Karnataka), forming a key Western Ghats corridor.
    • Ecological Role: Secures catchments of Koyna & Warna rivers, crucial for farming and livelihoods.

    Need for Tiger translocation:

    • Prey base: Reserve has prey-rich habitat but lacks a stable breeding tiger population.
    • Other benefits: Prevents local extinction, strengthens corridor connectivity, supports Project Tiger, conserves biodiversity, and secures river watersheds.
    [UPSC 2017] From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?

    Options: (a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve* (b) Nallamala Forest (c) Nagarhole National Park (d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

     

  • What is Decentralised Finance (DeFi)?

    Why in the News?

    Decentralised Finance (DeFi) is rapidly expanding as a global financial innovation, enabling direct peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries such as banks.

    What is DeFi?

    • It is a financial system that runs on blockchains like Ethereum.
    • It allows people to send, borrow, lend, invest, and trade money directly without banks.
    • All transactions happen using smart contracts (computer programs) and apps called dApps.
    • Anyone with a phone + internet can use it; no bank account or KYC needed.

    Features of DeFi:

    • No middlemen: Works without banks or brokers.
    • Smart contracts: Deals happen automatically once rules are met.
    • Open access: Anyone in the world can join with just a digital wallet.
    • Transparency: Every transaction is recorded on a blockchain for all to see.
    • Cross-border: Can be used internationally, without currency or banking restrictions.
    • Low cost & fast: Cheaper and quicker than traditional banking.
    • Anonymous: Many platforms don’t ask for ID, making it open but risky.

    DeFi in India:

    • Adoption: India ranks third globally in DeFi value (Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index 2024).
    • Growth Drivers:
      • Large youth population and widespread smartphone use.
      • Strong digital payments ecosystem (UPI, JAM trinity).
      • Increasing retail investor interest in crypto-assets.
    • Uses: Indian users engage in lending, trading, yield farming, and staking via DeFi platforms like Aave, Compound, and SushiSwap.
    • Market Size: Projected to reach USD 1.7 billion by 2025.
    • Challenges: Regulatory uncertainty, risks of money laundering and terror financing, cyber vulnerabilities, and lack of investor protection.